Holder for composite photographs



July 16, 1940. G. P. GRANT, JR

HOLDER FOR COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPHS Filed Sept. 27, 1938 lNvENToR GAW/yf/Dfrf @P4/mie ATTORNEY .SCREEN /P/craRE /0 Patented'July 16, 1940 Garnet Peter Grant, Jr.,

Plandome, N. Y., assignor to Grant Photo Corporation, New York, N. Y. Application September 27, 1938, Serial No. 231,887

2 Claims.

y This invention relates to a holder for composite photographs. f

It is well known kto provide a composite picture by making three exposures on a single sheet v of film or sensitized paper. A screen' having opaque lines is disposed between the lens of a camera and the iilm when an exposure is made. By moving the screen after each exposure a number of, and preferably three, exposures may be made to producea composite picture. The finished picture is mounted in a frame behind a screen which has opaque lines similar to the screen used in the camera. W'here three exposures have been made the opaque lines are twice the width of the transparent areas therebetween. For example, the transparent areas may be .005 inch in width andthe opaque areas .010 inch in width. By moving the picture and the screen with relation to one another the individual views may be seen as separate rather than las composite pictures. Upon rapid movement of the parts` the illusion of a moving picture is created.

The lines on the viewing screen may be horizontal but they are usually vertical, and for the purpose of the present application are considered as vertical. In order toproperly View the picture it is essential that the same be in vertical alignment with the lines on the viewing screen so that 30 in any given position only one View of the cornposite picture may be viewed through the screen. This result is usually attained by pasting or otherwise securing the picture upon a relatively rigid backing and then securing the backing to the screen on the front portion of the device in such a manner that only transverse or horizontal movement is permitted between the front and back members. The foregoing structure is well known but presents certain objections.

The broad object of this invention is to produce a holder which will overcome such objections.

The picture and the viewing screen are usually secured together by strips of material pasted or otherwise aflixed to their longitudinal edges. If the two parts were tightly secured together it would be impossible to have relative transverse movement therebetween. Accordingly it is usual to permit suiiicient slack in the securing means 50 to allow relative transverse movement of the parts.` In order that the picture be properly viewed it is essential that the picture be in intimate contact with the rear of the screen and not spaced therefrom. Where sui'cient slack is permitted in the securing means to allow relative transverse movement, there is necessarily a certain clearance, even though slight, between the screen and the picture during the movement of the parts. The result of such clearance between picture andscreen is that more than one View (Cl. 4QF-137) of the composite picture will be seen at one time through the screen. This produces a blur or cloud effect and the individual pictures of the composite picture cannot be distinguished.

One object of the present invention is to provide a holder for composite pictures in which the picture will be in intimate contact with the screen. Specifically, one object lof the invention is to provide a holder' for composite pictures in which a resilient member will force the picture against the screen but at the same time permit relative movement between the picture and screen.

Sincethe devices of the present invention are usually vsold as novelties it is essential and desirable to keep down the cost of production. Accordingly, a further object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive holder for displaying composite photographs which may be completely assembled with the exception of the photograph, and the photograph merely inserted at the time that it is made.

The invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part hereof, are illustrated three embodiments of the invention, in which drawing similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly broken away;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken approximately on line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal section taken approximately on line 3--3 of Figure l, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section similar to Figure 3, but showing a modied form of the invention; and,

Figure 5 is a horizontal section similar to Figure 3, but showing a second modication' of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, 6 designates the covering of a screen, the covering is exible, preferably being of paper, and provided with an opening 1 through which the screen and picture are visible. 'I'he opening 'I may be of anydesired contour to properly view a screen 8. In the drawing the transparent areas of the screen 8 have been exaggerated to clearly show the picture, but it will be understood that the opaque linesy ofthe screen 8 are twice the width. of the transparent spaces therebetween. The front cover 6 is provided with top and bottom extensions or aps 9Y which are folded over and secured to the rear of the screen 8.

A rigid backing member I I is provided and may be made of glass or any other suitable material.

If glass, it is preferably a mirror so that the reverse of the device may serve a useful purpose. The inner face of the backing member II is covered with a sheet of paper or other suitable material I2 having end flaps I3 which are secured to the rear of the backing member II. Disposed between the backing member I I and the paper I 2 is a leaf spring I4 which is curved slightly in the direction of the screen 8. In the assembly of the backing member II the spring I4 may be flat and slightly longer than the backing II. When the paper I2 is applied and the ends I3 thereof secured in position the `spring I4 will be slightly curved so as to present a resilient backing to the paper I2. A composite picture Ill is secured permanently to the paper I2, care being taken to have the picture I0 in vertical alignment With the lines of the screen 8.

The backing II, the paper I2, the spring I4 and the picture I0 are all secured together as a unit. The screen` 8 with its paper cover 6 constitute a second unit. The paper 6 is provided with side flaps or extensions I5 which are folded about and secured to the rear of the backing II. Suflicient slack must be permitted in the edge sections of the aps I5 to permit relative movement between the screen 8 and the backing member I I.v When the front and rear members are in alignment, as shown in Figure- 3, the clearance between the parts will be taken up by the spring I4 and the picture I0 will be held in intimate contact with the rear of the screen 8.

When the front and back portions are moved transversely with respect to one another the spring I4 will be compressed since the distance from front to back will be reduced, but the picture I!) will remain in intimate contact with the screen. 8.

It will be noted that the top and bottom aps 9 of the paper 5 are secured to the rear of the screen 8, whereas the side aps I5 of the paper I5 are secured to the rear of the backing member II. This construction leaves an opening or slot from top to bottom of the holder behind the screen 8 and in front of the paper I2. The entire device may be assembled at the time that the picture is made, but preferably the holder will be completely assembled with the exception of the picture I0. When it is desired to mount the picture In adhesive is applied to the back thereof and the picture I0 is inserted in the frame through the opening between the screen 3 and the paper I2. The paper on which the picture IIJ is printed will be longer than is necessary, so that the picture II) may be manipulated to achieve the desired alignment with the lines on the screen 8. When the picture Il) has been placed in position a slight pressure is 'applied to cause it to adhere rmly to the paper I2. The extended portion of the picture by which it had been handled is then cut oi and the device is complete.

In the modified form as shown in Figure 4 the parts are the same with the exception that a sheet of sponge rubber I6 or similar material is substituted in the place of the spring I4. The action of the sheet I6 is the same as the spring I4 in that it maintains the picture I0 in intimate contact with the rear side of the screen 8. Sheet sponge rubber is: available vin which both sides are impervious` to liquid and if such type is used the pape-r I2 with its flaps I3, may be eliminated and the sheet I6 secured directly to the backing 1| and the picture In secured directly to the forward face of the sheet I6. When the parts are moved transversely with relation to one anotherr K the sheet I6 will be compressed so as to permit such transverse motion.

In Figure 5 is illustrated a still further modi- `vcation of the invention. A curved spring II is disposed in front of the screen 8 but behind the covering 6. The spring I1 is provided with a central opening corresponding to the opening'l in the cover 6 so that the screen 8 is visible. The edges of the spring II are curved slightly so as to leave spaces I8 adjacent the edges of the screen 8.

When the parts are in the position as shown in Figure 5 the spring I1 will exert pressure against the flaps I5 which in turn will exert pres sure on the backing I I to hold the picture firmly against the screen 8. When the parts are moved sideways the edges of the spring I'I will be flat-` tened to permit such movement, but will maintain the pictureV I0 in intimate contact with the screen 8.

In Figure 5 it will be understood that the picture Ill is securely fastened to the paper I2, which in turn is secured to the backing II. If a backing II other than glass is used the picture I0 may be secured directly thereto without the use of the paper I2.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. A composite picture` and holder of the novelty type whereby relative movement of a composite picture behind a lined screen creates` the illussion `of movement, comprising a lined screen, a cover disposed over said screen, said cover being cut away centrally thereof to provide a viewing aperture, a backing, side flaps on said cover secured to the rear face of said backing, thereby holding the screen and backing together, a resilient member disposed upon said backing, a slot between the rear face of said screen and the front face of said resilient member, and a sheet containing the desired composite picture within said slot, said resilient member being adapted and arranged to exert a uniform pressure against said sheet, whereby it is pressed rmly against said screen, said pressure being insufficient to prevent' slidable movement between said screen and said sheet.

2. A composite picture and holder of the novelty type whereby relative movement yof a compositer picture behind a lined screen creates the illusion of movement, comprising a lined screen, a cover disposed over said screen, said cover being cutl disposed over said resilient member, said second cover having flaps secured to said backing, la slot between the rear face of said screen and the front face of said second cover, and a Sheet containing the desired composite picture within said slot, said resilient member being adapted and ar#- ranged to exert a uniform pressure against said sheet, whereby it is pressed firmly against' said screen, said pressure being insufficient to prevent slidable movement between said screenand said sheet.

' GARNET PETER. GRANT, JR. 

